“Pit Bull” or Not “Pit Bull” that is the Question, Commissioners Discuss How to Reduce Vicious Dog Attacks

BROOKSVILLE – On the heels of recent vicious dog attacks that killed and maimed several pets around Hernando County, the Board of County Commissioners met Tuesday to try and find a solution to the problem.

Earlier this month, RNRF interviewed Georgina and Ramon Gutierrez who lost their small dog to a horrific attack by two “Pit Bulls,” after they broke free from a residence on Halsey Road. (CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY) Just three days prior to the Gutierrez’ terrifying incident, a small horse was nearly mauled to death by a pack of Pit Bulls that had previously attacked the family and terrorized the neighborhood on several prior occasions. (CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY)

The term “Pit Bull” always raises heated debate between Pit Bull enthusiasts and those who believe the “breed” should be banned, and the discussions are nearly as vicious as the dogs that attack. But is Pit Bull even a real word? Is it a breed? Not according to some Hernando County Officials.

The Hernando County Animal Shelter is at maximum capacity with what some refer to as Pit Bulls, but Shelter Manager James Terry says they refer to them as Terriers or Terrier mix. During a tour of the facility last week, Terry says the largest percentage of intake strays are Terriers but that he doesn’t think they are any more dangerous than other breed.

During Tuesday’s BOCC meeting, Chairman Steve Champion opened discussion with fellow board members over what can be done to reduce the number of attacks and penalize irresponsible owners.

After a heart wrenching presentation by Ramon Gutierrez, Commissioner John Allocco said, “I don’t think that anyone is in disagreement that irresponsible dog owners are the problem here. We need to start leaning on our legislators a little bit if we are being restricted by State Law.” Allocco shared his condolences with Roman and his wife over the loss of their dog.

Commissioner Nick Nicholson said, “I believe enforcement is a problem, but I’d be highly in favor of doing whatever else we can do to help our citizens animals be safe. We don’t need any breed running around killing other dogs or biting people.”

Champion believe there should be stiffer penalties for home owners, even for those who rent to tenants with aggressive dogs. But Champion made it clear that he isn’t picking on “Pit Bulls” when he stated, “it’s a free country, no one is going to tell somebody they can’t have a certain breed. . . But if you have that large dog and it hurts somebody, you’re responsible.”

Commissioner Wayne Dukes agreed, stating, “I think the attorney should look at it and put it on the backs of the property owners as well. If there is any physical damage to an animal or a person it needs to be more than 100 dollars. I think we need to be stricter on people, especially if it is a repeat situation.”

A typical fine for owners who allow their dogs to break free and harm an animal or person is $100. Champions suggests a much higher fine, in the range of $1,000. But how does the County ensure that violators will pay the fine and how does that prevent another attack?

Commissioners plan to invite the representative with the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue and Animal Services to discuss how to improve enforcement efforts and the possibly of new regulations.

Miami-Dade County has strict regulations on what they openly refer to as “Pit Bulls” and municide 5-17.2 reads, Because of the pit bull dog’s inbred propensity to attack other animals, and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by a pit bull dog when running loose or while naming together in a pack, pit bull dogs must at all times be securely confined indoors, or confined in a securely and totally enclosed and locked pen, with either a top or with all four (4) sides at least six (6) feet high, and with a conspicuous sign displaying the words “Dangerous Dog.”

Residents who choose to own Pit Bulls are required to provide evidence that they are financially able to pay damages and obtain liability insurance in the amount of $50,000.

The discussion is expected to continue on February 6th at the Brooksville Courthouse.

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Comments

Manyofmanybreeds

Actually if you notice it’s smaller dogs who get out and who get agressive first, which trigger the larger breeds to get defensive. But if I’m walking my dog down the street on a leash and your dog got out, then your shit out of luck. Dogs will protect their owners, and the dogs who get out and attack people are the ones who are left outside all day wjile their owners are at work with nobody to watch them. So take care of your animals and watch them at all times.

Common Sense: Pit bulls are selectively bred to recognize other dogs as prey to fight in a pit to the death. You never know when it will be triggered. Simple noises and movement can trigger the pit bull’s prey drive into a deadly attack. This is not a safe breed trait to have in a family pet.

.New Warning from Pediatricians about pit bull type-dogs: A University of Arkansas for Medical Science’s largest dog bite study to date at a Georgia hospital in July 2016 came to this conclusion: “The study corroborates the largely negative interactions between pit bulls and children of any age.”

11 Medical peer-reviewed studies that prove pit bull are dangerous dog as pets. Level 1 trauma center dog bite studies from all geographical regions in the U.S. are reporting a higher prevalence of pit bull type dogs injuries than all other breeds of dogs. In many cases, the studies (2009 to 2016) also report that pit bull injuries have a higher severity of injury and require a greater number of operative interventions. http://blog.dogsbite.org/2016/10/table-retrospective-level-1-trauma-dog-bite-studies-2009-2016.html

Correct there are nice pit bulls. The problem is that you can’t tell them apart from the pit bulls that decide to kill. Would you deliberately choose a crib, car, or helmet with the highest record of fatalities and the worst safety rating? Pit bull type-dogs are responsible for 95% of severe attacks (level 4-6 dog bites) on people, pets and livestock in breed neutral zones. Please follow for one month. You will be shocked at all the people and pets that are severely maimed or killed by pit bulls.http://www.nationalpitbullvictimawareness.org/ BITE CHART:http://apdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ian-dunbar-dog-bite-scale.pdf

Please spend some time witnessing to the victims of pit bull attacks. Most attacking pit bulls are not due to bad owners but naïve owners who do not understand the dangerous pit bull breed traits. From 2005-2018, 281 people killed by pit bull type dogs. http://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities.php

Pit bulls do not lock their jaw but with their ‘gameness’ trait they do not let go until their victims are dead.

Pit-bulls are dangerous because they have the capability of inflicting life-threatening injuries in a split second. Pit bulls are zero-mistake dogs.

Does this sound like a normal and safe dog breed to have live in our neighborhoods? Pit Bull Rescue Central recommends ALL pit bull owners to have a “break stick”, a wedge-shaped piece of wood used to pry open a pit bull’s jaw during an attack. “Since pit bulls have a strong fighting background, we recommend that pet owners also have a breaking stick as a precaution, even if they don’t plan to use it in an illegal context. However, please be discreet. Breaking sticks are not something to brag about and the general public might have the wrong impression if you walk around with a stick in your hand. Breaking sticks are not illegal, but they are considered dog fighting paraphernalia in certain states and/or with certain law enforcement agents.”http://blog.dogsbite.org/2008/09/break-sticks-tool-used-to-pry-open-pit.html

Who the hell cares

People are all stupid it is an animal every animal is unpredictable I don’t care if it is a dog, cat, horse etc they all have the ability to hurt someone or something you just have to take measures to make sure they in safe situations. If you can’t handle that then don’t own any animal period. As for those of u who think it’s ok to band pit bulls completely there are a lot of them where do u think they r going to go???

So with you logic, all fish are the same minnows can do as much damage as sharks?

With most BSL, it’s pit bulls not any other breeds. It’s because of their horrible track record of severely mauling and killing people and pets.

The purpose of a breed specific ordinance is not to prevent bites, but to prevent maulings. Bites require band-aids or a few stitches; maulings require amputation, plastic surgery, rehabilitation therapy, and possibly caskets. Supporting breed specific legislation will increase public safety, decrease pit bull breeding and decrease the number flowing into and being euthanized at shelters.

Sunday, 28 January 2018, 9:44 am

Hernando county needs a overhaul and clean house.

Let’s be realistic, pit owners will defend the breed , why? Because they own one.. If you read and listen to people many their own pits. They will not understand why their loving patient laid back pit attacked their 4 yr old child. Or the neighbors kangaroo. Why do people HAVE to own them period? There are plenty of other kinds of dogs why pits? And all I hear is it’s the owners not the dog.I agree owners are not trained to own a pit a lot of the time, but, do we really have to be afraid of walking down the street because a pit is barking and drooling and is wanting to eat you alive? People say pits are the most misunderstood breeds..well it’s pretty understood, that they are a breed that can turn on a dime, and be sweet one minute, and vicious the next. Now on insurance, and fines and warnings …it will never work. First of all insurance companies ,don’t want to be liable for this breed of dog. To unpredictable. Then you have people who will get fines, and never pay them..why should they? It’s not rocket science that nothing will be done if they don’t pay up. This is the facts, Brooksville town employees, that I’ve delt with, either have something permanently stuck up their anus, or, hate their jobs because they don’t want to be bothered to get on the task on hand. As for the HCAC yes they absolutely non functioning someone needs to go in there and clean house, and start fresh and make it someone’s responsibility to keep hawk eyes on what goes on there. I have a neighbor, who is a animal control person and she brings home the animal controls truck all the time. Well it sits there and sits there for days on end. Why? There are so many problems with this county I think more focus should be on other things that are dragging this county down. It you take away the problems, more time will be available for more important issues (like housing authority, and good God, the school board. Which is an absolute joke!!! ….just ban the breed and be done with it .move on to other issues of importance. People don’t have to have pits. People do need to have a decent education, and safer streets, and affordable housing….

Saturday, 27 January 2018, 3:18 am

ResponsibleOwner

Step #1 – Be a responsible pet owner & know your animal! I have a rescue dog who is far from a Pit, he is a small corgi mix-breed dog weighing in at a whopping 23 lbs. However, i know that he is dog aggressive and I have taken measures to ensure he does not get out. When in public I am aware of my surroundings as I know he can be aggressive around other animals regardless of their size. Owners who let their dogs roam freely should be severely reprimanded. I made sure my yard was fenced in and reinforced in order to let my dog out, as I was not comfortable walking him in my neighborhood as other irresponsible pet owners frequently let their pets roam freely and I did not want to have a dog fight on my hands. I believe that knowledgable and responsible owners can and should be able to own whatever breed they want but if you are not prepared to make the preparations for your type of dog, then you should not own them.

Plus the main reason that Pits have such bad press is that their bites, (though not as frequent as other breed bites) are usually severe therefore many are against them. Please keep this in mind…. You never hear about a jelly fish sting or a crab pinch at the beach but you hear about a shark attack, right? Does that give us reason to put a target on sharks in order to keep our beaches safe? No? Then why the target on the pit bull?

Saturday, 27 January 2018, 1:15 am

1hotgrandma

As 23 year Hernando County residents, we have adopted at least two dogs from HCAC. Upon going in to the dog area, you are “welcomed” by the angry, barking, growling obviously looking pits. Why are THEY there? Because the owner did not want them for whatever reason. The two NON-pits we adopted were housed right in the middle of the chaos, cowering in in the front corner by the door. The first one was taken out and sat right by us with a pleading look on her face, shaking. We said we would think about it and went for lunch. After lunch, we returned for this dog. I think she remembered us because she bound out of the pen and went right up to us. The second, also shivering and cowering in the front corner of the pen, right in the middle of these pits. We adopted him. He was so afraid he “insisted” on sitting on my lap on the way home. When I went to take him to our vet. for his shots, I had to pick him up and put him the car…he refused to get in, though he was big enough to do so. The moral of this is that dogs adopted from HCAC KNOW they are wanted…they live in terror. They know that there are killers in there by these pits. So the excuse for putting down adoptable dogs is “overcrowding”? Try not bringing in pits at all, and things will change. We need BSL (breed specific legislation) in our county., starting NOW.

Friday, 26 January 2018, 4:48 pm

Bob

I am glad you adopted a dog from the shelter, but you saying that Pit Bull mixes are all vicious and dangerous is totally incorrect. I deal with these shelter dogs all the time, they are all scared. Dogs being scared and people being scared will all react differently. Think of it this way, you are out walking and all of a sudden you are picked up and thrown into a jail cell for no reason. You have been left in there for weeks with people coming in there looking at you. Most people in that situation would be yelling, cussing, beating on the walls to get someone’s attention to get them out of there. And then there is the small percentage that cower in the corner. Are there a very small percentage that are aggressive, yes. But please don’t judge them all as aggressive. That would be like judging all people as bad and aggressive because there are a small percentage of people that are aggressive. Or think of it like this your parents had beat you or not taken care of you for years. You would probably not trust people and not act nice to people. Then someone comes and takes you in and shows you love, now you learn you can trust people. Now you are a totally different person around people, you are sweet and caring. Remember don’t judge a book by the cover, you will miss what is inside the cover. Have a great day.

Saturday, 27 January 2018, 9:35 am

WinterKid

Buck

There are regulations enacted in many areas of the US that could be a blueprint. Pits have been killing all over the US every year. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to figure there is a problem. The Commissioners are afraid to lose a vote. Do something rather than hope it dies down. It’s not complicated.

Friday, 26 January 2018, 10:10 am

As above, so below.

Hate me, go right ahead. A lot of people are on about animals that attack humans. But these same people forget that, if they are eating the flesh of dead animals as a matter of course, that they are just as dangerous to animals themselves. As above, so below.

Friday, 26 January 2018, 9:28 am

Zorro

A lot of these monsters are owned by drug dealers, used as weapons. A fine of $100.00 or $1000.00 is nothing to them. There is no need for this kind of animal. Get a German shepherd, not a lion, a husky, not a wolf. Outlaw the damn things, with jail time for violations.

Friday, 26 January 2018, 8:38 am

Hardcoregalore

Despina V Gerondidakis

My little dog is way more vicious than my pit bull ever would be. My pit is the best dog I have ever owned, kind and very loving to my young grandbabies and all family members.
I was walking my pit one day and a little dog ran up in the street and started attacking my pit! Luckily, my dog just sat and took the abuse while I was yelling at the owner for having their dog loose in the front yard. Why don’t we hear about these stories? STOP BLAMING PITBULLS!!! ANNOYING!!!

Friday, 26 January 2018, 12:13 am

Jimbo

People who disregard the safety of their own family and community over the clear and known risks of pit bulls and other dangerous animals are ANNOYING!!!
More insurance and progressive criminal penalties for dangerous animals.
There is no reason your desire to be reckless with your family should jeopardize our community.

To much corruption and political crap in Hernando county

Ahh yeses, there goes the defending of the Pit bull. That will never end…I moved down here from way up north almost Canadian boarder. now from being up north , we did not have a real population. Of them. Now since I’ve been down here, in Florida..I’ve lived in 4 different areas , and pit bulls are, freaking everywhere. And ,I do have to say you can look up any web sites,on the breed and they will say nowadays whoever was the moron who crossed the bloodlines..of these dogs, was doing it for a protective, fighting , and strength. This breed of dog has been bred over and over and mostly not for good reasons. Now, the people who have these dogs, can send them or train the crap out of them and they still have that in their blood. Their brain switches to aggressive dog’s.. Its in their genes the same gene pool that had the lines crossed thousands of years ago .and the breed itself is WAY out of control. And has lead to overpopulation… There is mostly dogs with some kind of pit in them crammed in shelters filled all over the state. Now, as far as owners go, for any breed
absolutely are uneducated which leads to not knowing, or doing research on the dog before they get one , or don’t care about a dog just wants it for protecting their property, or hate their dog’s because they have not given the dog the right lifestyle for that particular breed needs exercise to diet to socializing them…. or love them to much becoming a hoarder.. Then you have the just cruel people who don’t think period! And will get a dog for the sole purpose, of fighting and hunting a animal, that would most likely be killed . I could go on and on about people and how they create their own nightmares with dog’s by not training and know the breed before you get… But, there is no way Hernando county is going to ban them..to many politicians own them themselves. Or are afraid to ban them. And as far as putting the dogs owner to the responsibility….really come back and tell me how that works out…we have a notorious state that is in constant chaos. And is corrupted to the core. Those laws of people getting fined for bad offenses …will not work the shelters are already over populated, what happens when a pit attacks a person or another animal? I bet more than 90% will not have the money to pay the fine, so they will dump the dog ,outta sight out of mind.. Then if they don’t pay the fine, what next? Send em to jail? Right with jails already over crowded..guaranteed they will be out in days or weeks .then what? They get slapped with yet another fine ? Which they can’t pay and no way to track ..there is no way this state, never mind the county. So, the only reasonable measure… And affordable is to ban the pit bull altogether.. Those are the main breed of dog in this state are the troublemakers .. I don’t have a answer to deal with the people who own them. Because our town officials and agencies are all so corrupt, I’m sure there will be nothing done…NUF SAID

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 10:06 pm

KIM

sorry but you can all say its the owners and the pits are not understood i ask this why is it when its a pit the person or animal it attacks is killed or ripped apart I agree owners have a responsibility to train there dogs and have control of them but lets be real here if you get attacked by a little dog which has been stated in all this debates over pit bulls you have a bite yes it hurts but your alive never heard of a yorkie ,chiluahua, maltese,killing anyone its always a pit so to me that means there is a problem with the breed ,also there are many pit owners who have trained there pit and gave it love and the pit killed or attacked there children i personaly could never understand why a parent with small children would ever have this breed,I as a parent would never take the chance when you hear about so many children being killed but hey to each its own I realize there are many people that love this breed and yes they should be able to have it but if you want to own a pit there should be a law that it has to go to a dog trainer to be trained and the owner needs to go to some kind of training also special insurance cause the owner should have to pay all mediclal expenses and god for bit there dog kills someone big law suit Im a animal lover would never hurt a animal unless it was going to hurt me or any of my family or my dogs but i do believe you should be able to walk your dog without worrying you will or your dog will be attach and i just want to throw this out there go to any shelter and there are 90% pits in it why is that?

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 9:35 pm

Made in America

Miami-Dade County’s regulations on pit bulls makes a lot of sense. What is it about pit bulls and/or pit bull owners that results in so many blood thirsty creatures? If the owners aren’t going to restrict their dogs, then the county should.

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 9:31 pm

Sophia

Sounds like they had a productive start. As they discussed, the only workable solution is to crack down on the irresponsible owners, because banning any breed simply will not work. If you ban pit bulls, those owners will just move on to rottweilers. Then when rotties are are banned as a “dangerous breed” because of irresponsible owners, German Shepherds will get their turn. Next will be Dobermans, Mastiffs, St. Bernards, Boxers and Great Danes. All of those breeds have killed people. Finally, and anything over 20 pounds would get banned. It’s a lot like banning an AK-47. Plenty of other options out there to substitute.

Crazy b.🔫

Steve Champion will have my vote AGAIN at next election.

Best thing this county has done in years is electing Steve Champion.
He is not afraid to open his mouth and fight for our community. He said he would bring this subject up at the next meeting, and he DID!!
He also spoke up about the Dawn Center needing an investigation!

I will vote against John Allocco during the next election, I am embarrassed to say I voted for him during last election.However, I won’t make that mistake again!!
@John Allocco, you lose my vote next time because of your smirking about the Dawn Center allegations!!

Qunesha Rasheedaw

olly

Here we go again

Easy answer, if pit bull attacking your pets or you, Just shoot em, Steve Champion did when they were killing his goats.Nothin happened to him. You can read it on article posted. He is no better than the average underpaid Joe, and puts his pants on one leg at a time like all the rest of us. Meeting adjourned.

be responsible,if you have any animal take into consideration the size and type and what could happen,it your property that will suffer.insurance is just another way to cover you from any damages.you do that for your car (i hope) and your home,even your health .something to think about.

Smh

Problem is you can raise that fine to a million dollars the county won’t get the money so upping to a 1000 will do nothing but have outstanding debts from the owners who are poor already and it seems to be alot of pit owners in Brooksville

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 5:31 pm

To much corruption and political crap in Hernando county

Agree 100% !! It would look like a good idea on paper, but it will never happen… And you are right ,most of the dogs in this town are pits. And usually the owners are not high up on the food chain . total waste of time. Just put,( pit bulls we like em just not in this county) so your pits are not allowed in our county….

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 10:27 pm

Jimbo

Lock them up for having dangerous animals. Not that pits or rotts etc. are Lions or tigers… but they are known to be dangerous. If you have an animal bigger than you, stronger than your fence, or you’re lazy than you should be held criminally responsible as well.

To much corruption and political crap in Hernando county

I myself am a owner of 2 pitbulls. They are big lap dogs, that is unless someone thinks they are going to come into my area. They do what they are supposed to. Protect. Pitbulls are given such a bad rap. It is not the dog, it is the owners that do not care or are willing to train their dogs and let them do what ever they want. These are the people that they should be going after, I WILL not be told I can not have a pitbull. In my area there are several pits that allowed to run free at all times. I have a fenced in yard, but when my dogs need to go out, they go out on a leash. It is called being responsible. Animal control has been called numerous times about the dogs running free in my neighborhood , and all they do is drive around. They wont even get out of the vehicle and do their job. I have watched this many times. They drive right by the dog running free because heaven forbid they have to do something.

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 4:15 pm

UNBELIEVABLE

You have made an EXCELLENT POINT ABOUT ANIMAL CONTROL. I have also witnessed them IGNORING THEIR JOB by driving by the problem or failing to cite/warn owners (term used loosely) who were/are friends of theirs. I’m happy to know you are responsible owner . Please keep up the good work and thank you.

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 6:09 pm

To much corruption and political crap in Hernando county

well, Mrs. Popoca, if the town or county bans then, I guess you will have to move ,or bring the dogs elsewhere. Personally, I think there needs to be a ban. Yes , a lot of owners are at fault, for not doing their homework on them and not training them and work with them…. But this breed is notorious for chemical changes in their brains the just snap and attack.. I’m not saying they are the only dogs, but there are to many pit bull attacks. And if something ever happened to my child or pet because of a pit bull attacking .. I would not stop fighting, for justice and the county would have such a law suit on their hands…and I would never stop the fight..WAY TO DANGEROUS

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 10:43 pm

MADEA's sista!

I absolutely agree 200% Kathy. Animal Control in this county has been absolutely USELESS since the sheriff’s office took over. It’s a joke to them, and when someone, namely a child or other people’s pets have become victims of an attack by these ‘reported’ animals, suddenly you see the Sheriff himself defending the actions of Animal Control on FB. Beyond pathetic….

Friday, 26 January 2018, 4:51 am

Jimbo

Nancy

Any dog can be made to be vicious if trained in that manner. “pitbulls” get a bad wrap because someone in media one day decided they had a big story and it blossomed from there. There have been way too many pitbulls that have been retrained and shown love and attention and ended up being loving family dogs. Owners ARE the problem. It’s not even just pitbulls. There are too many people that have animals and either don’t pay attention to them or can’t afford to care for them. I feel that the pitbull owner should be fined $1,000 on the first offense, and $5,000 and possible jail time for any offenses after that, if their dogs are found to be roaming or injure an animal or person. If there is injury, the owner should be responsible for the medical care. After the 3rd offense, the dog(s) should be removed from the home and adopted to a loving home. And, the owner should be banned from owning another dog, until and unless they can prove themselves worthy. People need to understand that these dogs are living things, and they want love and attention just like any other dog. They can’t be brought home and tied outside away from the family, or ignored by everyone. They are like a child and must be taught how to behave properly. Pasco has a law that a dog cannot be left tied outside without supervision. I turned an ex neighbor in one time because I couldn’t stand to see the dog wrap himself around a tree and dump his water bowl and howl and cry all the time. If you don’t want to take care of your dog like you would your child, then you don’t need a dog! And, from what I see, there are a lot of people that shouldn’t have children either.

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 3:48 pm

Erica

Well said..I am a pit bull owner, I got him an 8 weeks old and showed him nothing but love and compassion treated him like a child and never once has my 14 year old dog so much as even curled a lip at anyone let alone attack! I wouldn’t want any other breed after owning this one. They ARE the most misunderstood breed out there! It ALL falls on the owners and being irresponsible by training them to fight. there are thousands of pitbulls between Brooksville and Spring Hill, the owners are the ones who need to be trained!!

MADEA's sista!

I agree with this statement as well. But, there should be a ‘Three strikes, you’re out’ law passed in this county for pit owner’s to hold them responsible. —
1st offense, a warning and a $1000 fine.

2nd offense, a warning, a $5000 fine and owner should face a misdemeanor charge, and inspection of their property to see if it’s suitable to own and secure a pit.

3rd offense, a $5000 fine, and owner needs to be arrested with mandatory 3 days in jail, and the dog turned over to animal control with revoking the owners rights to the animal.

And with all three strikes, the owner should be held financially responsible at each level for any and all damages incurred whether medical, (to include time lost from work in an injury to a person), property loss/damage, etc.

Unless they play hardball with these lazy, pathetic pit owners who are allowing their pits to run free, and not putting them on a leash, (and yes, Hernando DOES have a leash law in place..), this will continue. Hold the owners responsible. Sheriff’s Dept. HAS to do their jobs to enforce the leash law. Until they DO…nothing will change.

Jimbo

Unfortunately you are dead wrong. Pits are dangerous. Your anecdotes don’t trump science. The science is clear that you are playing genetic russian roulette with your child.

Many attacks involving injury and death are due to “loving family pets”, from “good” dog owners who do not understand DNA.

Your desire to harbor a dangerous animal should not override the safety of our community. You should pay higher insurance and be subject to progressive criminal penalties and fines for damage that your animal does.

Pitbull Mommy

I’m happy that they clearly stated it’s not the breed it’s the owners. Owners of any dog that attacks any other animal or human should be held responsible. Whether it be a pitbull or a chihuahua the owners are responsible for how they raised their dog.

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 3:14 pm

Qunesha Rasheedaw

Tom/Author

Lena W

Animal control is a joke here like most counties I dealt with them in Pasco after my dog was attacked and nothing was ever done most people with these dogs are in rural areas they are inbred not socialized are chained up it’s not the dogs fault it’s the humans fault as usual they should get a hefty fine That goes to the SPCA or the county pound and made to pay all that bills if their dog attacked someone else’s dog but any dog that kills should be put down I’m sorry and I’m a dog lover it’s usually not the breed it’s the human behind it Also with county needs better resources for her and injured animals and abandoned ones

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 3:08 pm

Michelle

This is entirely the owners not the Dog. Pit Bulls are being picked on as they are the breed of choice for these ignorant, irresponsible owners. Talk about Discrimination. I agree that people need to be held accountable for their animals. I do not agree with enforcing that pit bull owners have to have $50k in liability coverage. This county is full of good honest hard working people who work to take care of their families and animals. It really feels like another way for us hard working people to pay more $ to the greedy world of Insurance once again.

Just saying

Joanne

That’s what the problem is……….THEY ONLY WANT TO SAY THAT PITS OR PIT MIXES ARE THE ONLY DOGS THAT ATTACKED ANYTHING THAT MOVES…NOT FAIR!!! I have a small dog that I walk twice a day and in my half mile dog walk there are three houses that I have to be very cautious when I am passing those houses and NONE OF THEM ARE PIT BULLS! One of the homes has a very nasty Chiwawa (sp?) and the owners of this dog let the dog out to do his business, no leash and no supervision, and in most cases the owner is standing inside their house. I carry a nice size item and believe me, if that dog comes near me or my dog, it will get a wack and it will end up flying right back into the house where the owner is! It’s very frightening when a dog comes out of no where, it not only scares the dog but I always get scared too. Get off the Pits already and just blame the owners of any dog. If you’re going to fine a Pit owner, fine all dog owners who do not obey the laws! Finally, I don’t think they are going to come up with a viable solution….

Thursday, 25 January 2018, 5:53 pm

Really!

You are truly ignorant if you think all other breeds don’t attack. My old neighbors had a chow that was mean as heck, my cousin has a collie that won’t let anyone walk in the house. I had a dalmatian that my dad saved, he loved our family and protected me. I could mess with the dog in any way and he wouldn’t do anything to me but if someone tried to come up he would bark and growl like he was going to hurt you. These are animals, you take the risk no matter what bread. Treat them good, take care of them, and love them or don’t have one. Just stop singling out one specific bread.